Housing Specialist (Manhattan)

About the Role

Managing and directing a comprehensive program of support, safety, and success for women that includes housing, counseling, benefit entitlements, program placement, health and educational programs, and comprehensive case management. This role works as part of the Social Services team.

Responsibilities

• Assess housing history and independent living skills of clients.
• Help clients identify any negative credit history that may impact their apartment search or issues with brokers and landlords.
• Identify available housing resources and maintain an up-to-date directory of these resources.
• Conduct individual meetings focusing on tenants’ rights, home maintenance/upkeep, and landlord/tenant relationships.
• Maintain required case records in written and computer-generated forms and report on them in regular supervisory meetings.
• Maintain required housing records in Cares.
• Complete and submit HRA-2010E applications.
• Coordinate housing contracts, referrals, and follow-up with service providers, including but not limited to DHS.
• Document all counseling, referral, and discharge planning activities in client folders.
• Participate in case conferences, staff meetings, and other meetings/trainings as assigned.
• Adhere to DHS timeframes for permanent housing placement.
• Attend required DHS meetings.
• Have flexible work hours to meet the needs of clients (e.g., working at least one late night or more if needed).
• Drive agency van as necessary.
• Perform other duties as they relate to the Housing Specialist position.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Two (2) or more years of experience working with mentally ill, medically frail, or homeless populations.
• Experience working with housing entitlements.
• Exceptional knowledge of regional housing, supportive housing, Section 8, and other rental assistance programs.
• Valid driver’s license (preferred).

Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong computer skills.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (strongly preferred).

Schedule

This role requires a total of 35 hours per week. Outpatient ambulatory care dental hours may include one or more evenings per week. Some additional time may be necessary as needed to complete charting and documentation.